Angel names in the Bible are surprisingly few. Only two individual angels receive a clear name in the Protestant biblical text: Michael and Gabriel.
A third, Raphael, appears by name in the Book of Tobit, which Catholic and Orthodox traditions include in their biblical canon but the Protestant Bible does not.
Beyond these three, most angels mentioned in Scripture remain unnamed, simply called “angels” rather than given individual identities.
This distinction matters because lists of “biblical angel names” often mix canonical Scripture with apocryphal, deuterocanonical, and later religious traditions.
Michael: The Archangel Named in Scripture
The Bible clearly names Michael as one of its angels. Daniel describes him as “one of the chief princes,” while Jude calls him the archangel.
Revelation also presents Michael leading heavenly forces in a battle against the dragon.
Biblical references include:
- Daniel 10:13
- Daniel 10:21
- Daniel 12:1
- Jude 1:9
- Revelation 12:7
The name Michael comes from Hebrew, and people commonly understand it to mean “Who is like God?”
Biblical passages therefore associate Michael with heavenly authority, protection, and conflict against evil.
Gabriel: God’s Messenger
Gabriel is another angel whose name appears directly in Scripture. He appears in Daniel and later delivers important messages in the opening chapters of Luke.
Gabriel appears to Daniel while explaining visions. In the New Testament, Gabriel announces the birth of John the Baptist to Zechariah and the birth of Jesus to Mary.
Important references include:
- Daniel 8:16
- Daniel 9:21
- Luke 1:19
- Luke 1:26
Tradition connects the name Gabriel with a Hebrew expression involving God and strength. Different references give slightly different English renderings of its meaning, so it is better not to treat one translation as the only possible interpretation.
Raphael: An Angel Named in Tobit
The Book of Tobit names Raphael; Catholic and Orthodox traditions accept this book as Scripture, but the Protestant Old Testament does not include it.
This makes Raphael different from Michael and Gabriel when discussing the Protestant biblical canon.
In Tobit, Raphael travels with Tobias and later reveals his identity. He explains that God sent him to help and heal Tobit and Sarah.
Tobit 12:15 identifies Raphael as one of the seven angels who stand before God’s glory.
People commonly associate the name Raphael with the idea of “God heals” or “divine healing.”
Are Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael All in the Bible?
The answer depends on which biblical canon you use.
| Name | Where It Appears | Canonical Status |
| Michael | Daniel, Jude, Revelation | In the Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox Bibles |
| Gabriel | Daniel, Luke | In the Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox Bibles |
| Raphael | Tobit | In Catholic and Orthodox Bibles; not in the Protestant Bible |
| Uriel | Later religious texts | Not named as an angel in the standard Protestant Bible |
So, if someone asks specifically for angel names in the Protestant Bible, the text directly gives only two individual angelic names: Michael and Gabriel.
Other Angel Names From Religious Tradition
Expanded lists often include several angel names, but writers should not present them as though all of them appear in the same biblical books.
Uriel is a well-known example. The name appears in texts such as 1 Enoch and 2 Esdras, rather than in the standard Protestant biblical canon.
Other names also appear in Jewish and Christian writings outside the canonical books.
Other traditional names include:
- Uriel
- Selaphiel
- Jegudiel
- Barachiel
- Jeremiel
- Raguel
- Remiel
Their status varies according to the religious tradition and text in which they appear.
Writers should therefore label them as traditional or extra-canonical angel names, rather than simply “names from the Bible.”
Angel Names in the Book of Enoch
The Book of Enoch contains several named angels and provides a much longer angelic tradition than the canonical books of the Bible.
Names associated with this tradition include:
- Michael
- Gabriel
- Raphael
- Uriel
- Raguel
- Saraqael
- Remiel
The Book of Enoch is an important ancient Jewish religious text, but it is not part of the standard Protestant or Catholic biblical canon. It is especially important in the Ethiopian Orthodox tradition.
This is why writers should clearly separate a list based on Enoch from a list of angels named in the Bible itself.
What Do Angel Names in the Bible Mean?
Jewish and Christian tradition connects many angel names to descriptions of God, divine action, or a particular role.
| Angel Name | Commonly Given Meaning or Association |
| Michael | “Who is like God?” |
| Gabriel | Commonly associated with God’s strength |
| Raphael | Associated with divine healing |
| Uriel | Commonly associated with God’s light |
| Remiel | Associated with mercy in later tradition |
| Raguel | Associated with friendship or divine justice in later tradition |
Scholars have established the meanings of some names more firmly than others. For names outside the biblical canon, meanings can vary between languages, manuscripts, and later traditions.
What Roles Do Angels Have in the Bible?
Angels perform different tasks throughout Scripture. They may deliver messages, assist God’s people, carry out divine commands, or appear in visions.
Examples include:
- Delivering messages: Gabriel communicates important announcements.
- Protective or military activity: Michael appears in passages involving heavenly conflict.
- Helping and healing: Raphael performs these roles in Tobit.
- Delivering divine judgments: Angels sometimes carry out God’s judgments.
- Worship and service: Angels are repeatedly presented as serving and praising God.
The Bible does not present every angel as having the same role. Their actions depend on the particular passage and context.
Are There Named Female Angels in the Bible?
The Bible does not explicitly name a female angel.Tradition treats the individual angelic names that appear in biblical and closely related traditions, such as Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, as masculine names.
Names sometimes described online as “female angel names” usually come from later traditions, modern naming practices, or interpretations outside the biblical text.
Does the Bible Name Seven Archangels?
The Bible itself does not provide a complete list of seven named archangels.
Tobit describes Raphael as one of seven angels who stand before God’s glory, while later Jewish and Christian traditions developed longer lists of archangels. The Book of Enoch also names several angels.
Therefore, readers should understand popular lists of “the seven archangels” as traditional angelology rather than a simple list taken directly from the Bible.
Angels vs. Archangels in Scripture
The word angel refers broadly to heavenly messengers or beings who serve God. The Bible uses the term in many contexts.
Archangel is a more specific designation. Michael is explicitly called “the archangel” in Jude 1:9.
The Bible does not provide a detailed hierarchy that neatly places every named angel into a fixed rank. Later Christian writings developed more elaborate systems of angelic orders.
Common Mistakes About Angels Names in the Bible
When researching angel names, a few distinctions can prevent confusion.
- Do not treat every traditional angel name as biblical.
- Do not place Raphael in the Protestant Bible without explaining its source in Tobit.
- Do not present Uriel as a named angel in the standard Protestant Bible.
- Do not assume every angel mentioned in Scripture has a personal name.
- Do not treat later angelology as though the biblical text directly stated it.
- Check the biblical canon before creating a list.
Scripture simply calls most angels “angels” rather than giving them individual names.
FAQs About Angels Names in the Bible
Q1. What are the names of angels in the Bible?
Answer: The two individual angel names clearly found in the standard Protestant Bible are Michael and Gabriel. The Book of Tobit names Raphael; Catholic and Orthodox biblical canons include this book.
Q2. Who are the three main angel names in the Bible?
Answer: Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael are commonly grouped together in Christian discussions of named angels. Michael and Gabriel appear in the standard Protestant Bible, while Raphael appears in the Book of Tobit.
Q3. Is Raphael mentioned in the Bible?
Answer: Yes, Raphael is named in the Book of Tobit. Tobit is included in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles but not in the Protestant Bible. Raphael identifies himself as one of the seven angels who stand before God’s glory.
Q4. Is Uriel in the Bible?
Answer: Uriel is not named as an angel in the standard Protestant Bible. The name appears in texts such as 1 Enoch and 2 Esdras, which belong to extra-canonical or differently canonized traditions.
Q5. Who is the archangel in the Bible?
Answer: Michael is explicitly called “the archangel” in Jude 1:9. Daniel also describes Michael as one of the chief princes, and Revelation portrays him leading heavenly forces in battle.
Q6. What does the name Michael mean?
Answer: Michael is commonly understood from Hebrew as “Who is like God?” The name appears several times in Scripture, including Daniel, Jude, and Revelation.
Q7. What does the name Gabriel mean?
Answer: Gabriel is a Hebrew name traditionally associated with God’s strength or power. In the Bible, Gabriel appears in Daniel and Luke as a heavenly messenger who delivers important revelations and announcements.
Q8. What does Raphael mean?
Answer: Raphael is commonly understood as referring to God’s healing or divine healing. In Tobit, Raphael is sent by God to help Tobit and Sarah and plays an important healing role.
Q9. Are there seven angels named in the Bible?
Answer: Not in the standard Protestant Bible. Tobit refers to seven angels who stand before God’s glory, but it does not provide a complete seven-name list in the passage. Later texts, including Enoch, provide additional angel names.
Q10. Are all angel names found in religious tradition actually in the Bible?
Answer: No. Names such as Uriel and several other archangel names come from texts outside the standard Protestant biblical canon. A reliable article should identify the source of each name rather than labeling every traditional angel name as biblical.
Conclusion: Angels Names in the Bible
The clearest angel names in the standard Protestant Bible are Michael and Gabriel. Raphael belongs to the Book of Tobit and is therefore included in Catholic and Orthodox biblical traditions.
Other familiar names, including Uriel, come from additional religious writings and later angelic traditions.
Understanding these differences makes angel name research more accurate and helps separate biblical names from later religious traditions.
Related Naming Guides:
- Indigenous Last Names: Meanings, Origins & Cultural Heritage
- Unique Mexican Last Names You’ve Probably Never Heard (2026)
I’m Rebecca Hayes, a writer with 6 years of experience researching the meanings, history, origins, and cultural backgrounds of names. I create helpful naming guides covering personal names, pet names, fantasy names, and creative naming ideas. My goal is to help readers discover names that are meaningful, memorable, and well suited to their needs.
